The Asheville citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1885-1889, 1887-11-12

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eating that the execution was not far
distant. This unusual proceeding
was objected to by some, but all
were compelled to submit
While standing in front of EngePs
cell DR.. Bolton Was in danger of be,
coming involved in a religious con-
troversy, for the condemned man
boldly combated the proposition OF
the divine. Within few minutes of
nine q message came from Mrs. Par
sons, through a bailiff, applying
for admission. The request was
refused. The sheriff and his chief
deputy were still poring over their
documents and the gloom was deep,
ening on the face of every one in the
Jail, when suddenly q burst of sun
shine came through the topmost win
doWs and went straight to Schwab's
cell. He came to the bars and blinked
in the welcome light g. ;is
The Governors decision the ap-
plication for Executive elemency was
brought to Chicago by Gov Oglesby's
son. Deputy Gleason intercep' ed the
messenger on the train near the city
limits, and the official copy was at
once brought to the Jail by the dep
uty. 1t was just $50 when the infor-
nation was licked from the Associa-
ted Press instrument few feet dis
tant from the cells that Capt. Black
was at that very moment again plead
ing with Governor Oglesby at Spring
field, The message was handed in to
Sheriff Matson, who glanced at it and
then crumpled the paper slowly in
his hands. Whatever the Sheriff s
thoughts were, no expression of their
purport crossed his impressed lips.
Five minutes later he emerged, and
in reply to the chorus of inquiry said
that she had not just fixed the time
as yet"
The manuscripts which Spies, Par
sons and Fischer spent portion Of
the morning in prepari ,g were in par
written statements, the nature of
which would not be divulged by any
Of the officials. These were delivered
into the hands of Clerk Price, who
turnei them over to the sheriff and
that official locked them in his postal
safe. 1t was stated by the sheriff
that Spies, Parsons and Fischer had
in addition written letters which he
had also locked up securely. Parsons
letter was addressed to his wife
and children, that Of Fischer goes
to his wife, but the address of Spies
the sheriff refused to divulgc. 1t is
supposed it is for Nina Van Zandt.
Before 10 o'clock DR.. Gray went
into the prisoners cells for the sec
ond time bearing in his hands three
wine glasses and bottle of JARVIS
brand with which to brace up the
men. All Vi item part0Ck OF the
stimulant.
Adjutant Hance Of State militia
came into Jail at II O'Clock and was
Immediately closeted with the sher-
iff. Opinion as to his appearance
was divided, some thinking it re-
lated to some new disposition to be
made of the militia while others be-
lieved it carried a supplemental
message from Governor Oglesby.
About this time Police Inspector
Bonfeld who commanded the po-
lice at Haymarket, entered the jail
looking as grim as he did within
half an hour after the famous bomb
massacre Fischer continued to
make a display of bravado. Soon
after singing the marsellaise he
spoke to turnkey Stubble in a laugh
ing way, when 1 get to heaven I'll
put in = good word for you"
When Fischer woke up this
morn ng he turned TO one of iha
officers and said: Il dreamed
about Germany last night" Then
he relapsed into silence for quite 4
long time.
At 1885 fully $50 newspaper men
local politicians and observers,
among them twelve jurors VINO were
to view the bodies after execution
had passed through the dark pas
sage under the gallows and began
seating themselves The baiiilf
said few words to the journalists
begging them to make no rush when
the drop fell but to wait decently
and in order.
Parsons was gwen cup of coffee
a few minutes before the march to
the scaffold was begun. The rat
tling of chairs, tables and benches
of the reporters continued for sew
eral minutes, but at Hos there was
a hush and conversation among
the crowd sunk almost to whisper
The bare whitewashed walls made a
painful contrast with the dark
brown gallows with its four noossd
ropes dropping near the floor \
'gleam of sunshine shooting through
window al this inst fell on cor
ner of the death machine and in a
slight degree relieved its sombre
hue Through u window one saw a
number of policemen armed with
rifles looking do"n from the roof of
Dearborn street wing on the pro-
ceedings. The chief bailiff began at
lilo calling out the names Of per
sons summoned as jurors, and
bringing them forward to a row on
listle stools directly in front of the
gailowa. No other sounds were
heard in the long high corridor but
the Solemn monotonous voice OF
the baiIiff and the rustling Of jurors
as they tiptoed forward through the
crowd.
CHICAGO, Nov. 11.--At this hoar,